LTB 1047/10:'Spikys' and 'Snow Chains'

[brothermagrew]

LTB No. 1047/10 Ref E4 Date: 26 November 2010

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues

RE: Royal Mail Letters - Severe Weather Joint Brief & Safe System of Work For 'Spikys' and 'Snow Chains' Anti-Slip Footwear Devices.:

Intensive discussions have been taking place with Royal Mail HQ over the last fortnight in order to ensure that our members in Royal Mail are well prepared for this years Severe Weather. The aim is to make sure that extra care is taken in managing and controlling the risks that are faced and ensuring that the risks are assessed before members go out and that everyone remains vigilant and aware whilst out on delivery, collection or driving.

Agreement was reached yesterday with Royal Mail on a “Joint Brief on Severe Weather” a copy of which is attached for your attention, information and action.

The foundation of the agreed policy is that Managers must support staff in making the right decisions, making sure that everyone is prepared and knows how to minimise the risk of having accidents through good communication, risk controls and adjustments, strictly adhering to safety standards, working methods, equipment and PPE use.

Members are asked to remain aware of safety hazards and if they feel their delivery walk has become too dangerous or inaccessible due to poor weather, Managers will support their decision not to carry on and will encourage them to return to the office.

The agreed “ Joint Brief on Severe Weather” ensures that in line with Royal Mails Safety Policy, CWU Safety Representatives will be engaged and consulted on severe weather risk management decisions.

Yard safety was a major problem last year. To improve safety this year a national gritting and snow clearance contract has been arranged covering 760 Royal Mail sites provided by three Contractors and a monitoring and reporting process has been put in place to ensure yards , loading bays, access roads, walkways and car parks on Royal Mail Group’s premises are cleared of snow and ice and maintained in as safe a condition as possible.

The “Joint Briefing Severe Weather” Policy outlines fresh advice on driving in adverse weather as well as advice on the use of cycles, high capacity trolleys and lightweight trolleys. Before going out on delivery it will be assessed as to whether it is safe to use bicycles, HCT’s and LWT’s and where it is not, alternative arrangements must be made.

‘Spikys’ and ‘snow – chains’ anti- slip footwear devices will be issued to all Royal Mail Delivery and Collection staff.

SPIKYs and snow chains are rubber straps that fit over shoes or boots to prevent slipping. These anti – slip footwear devices provides reassurance at all times during snow and icy conditions, SPIKYs and snow chains can be worn over any shoe or boots. They are manufactured from 76% natural rubber and 24% high-grade synthetic rubber, which give them the ability to stretch to 6.5 times their original length and allowing them to accommodate a variety of footwear. There are a number of small perforations in the rubber, which help to increase elasticity. This feature allows for optimum comfort and permits them to be worn all day without pinching or squeezing the foot. They don't feature buckles or straps, but instead, an easy to use heel tab allows the SPIKY to be put on or removed quickly and without fuss. The SPIKY can be neatly folded ands stored so they can be taken anywhere.

The actual spikes are made from hardwearing steel, in order to give a safer footing and reassurance. These have been trialled and used with good feedback in RML Scotland over the last 18 months with the snow chains being used for many years. SPIKYs are designed for those experiencing slippy surfaces caused by ice or snow such as postal workers, construction workers, farmers, winter walkers, and have been used by Ice Rink workers.

The “Joint Briefing Severe Weather” Policy also applies to Royal Mail Logistics staff where appropriate.
Moving forward there is a joint commitment to review and agree a comprehensive Severe Weather Policy Manual including safety in all kinds of Severe Weather eg snow, floods and sun also reviewing various CB Tools and integration into “WRAP” Walk Risk Assessment Platform.
See attached copy of the RML/ CWU “ Joint Brief and Severe Weather” plus safe systems of work for “Spikys” and ‘snow chains’.


Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

[POSTMAN]

01 December 2010
LTB 1065/10 - Royal Mail Letters Severe Weather: ‘Spikys’ and ‘Snow Chains’ Anti Slip Footwear Devices – Delivery Schedule

No. 1065/10
Ref E4
Date: 1 December 2010

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

Royal Mail Letters Severe Weather: ‘Spikys’ and ‘Snow Chains’ Anti Slip Footwear Devices – Delivery Schedule

Further to LTB 1047/ 10 dated 26th November 2010 this is to report to Branches in relation to details of the delivery schedule to Royal Mail Letters Regions of both the'Spikys' and 'Snow-Chains' Anti-Slip Footwear Devices which will be issued to all Collection and Delivery staff to help cope safely with the snow and icy conditions.

Spikys position


Below see the Royal Mail delivery schedule for the 'Spikys'. As you will see Royal Mail have had an additional 22596 pairs delivered so far in October and November.
Royal Mail have stressed that obviously this is not in the numbers they would have liked and the National Safety Director Mark Gordon is looking to see if additional
pressure can be applied on the supplier to speed up deliveries.

POL002.gif

Snow-chains position
Royal Mail currently have in stock

Large – shoes size 9.5 to 12 – 1337
Medium – shoes size 5 to 9 - 1080
Small – shoe size up to size 5 – Nil stock

Due in next week

Large – shoes size 9.5 to 12 – 3400
Medium – shoes size 5 to 9 - 1450
Small – shoe size up to size 5 – 189



There is another snowchain delivery due in December on top of the above figures. Anglia, Midlands and North West have all placed snow chain orders which have been
dispatched Thames Valley have put through additional orders which have been actioned and dispatched.


National Safety Director Mark Gordon has stressed that obviously the decision to send staff out will depend on a number of factors in the Risk Assessment with one factor being what provision the office has in terms of both 'Spikys' and 'Snow-Chains'. The record earliest fall of heavy snow for almost 20 years across the UK, with Northern and Eastern Scotland receiving up to 2ft of snow, has obviously caught the Business out. This combined with the fact that Royal Mail is bound by European Union procurement and tendering rules (OJEU) has slowed down the purchase of these items and caused supply problems. However, Royal Mail is targeting the supply of 'Spikys' and 'Snow-Chains' to the worst affected areas using their risk assessment approach. The risk assessment process locally will take account of the conditions on delivery rounds and whether the anti-slip footwear devices are available before sending staff out.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

[stokes11eg]

In Scotland.,not only have we had far more than two feet of snow---it has stayed very soft, and you just sink in to it up to about knee, thigh level==so spikys no good!

[DGP1]

In Scotland.,not only have we had far more than two feet of snow---it has stayed very soft, and you just sink in to it up to about knee, thigh level==so spikys no good!

[stokes11eg]

What I could answer to that! but I have no intention of being banished to the naughty room! I see you must have escaped from there for the time being, as your intelligent contributions to this site have mushroomed again! Postma, --you really must put up a smiley of someone being banished as it were!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

DGP keep tjis up and you'll have to start carrying that sign around again.

[DGP1]

DGP keep tjis up and you'll have to start carrying that sign around again.

[BELIAL]

DGP keep tjis up and you'll have to start carrying that sign around again.

I think you're rubbing off on him DGP. That'll be a Yorkshire thing ,tha'll both be in tnaughty room together

[TrueBlueTerrier]

DGP keep tjis up and you'll have to start carrying that sign around again.

I think you're rubbing off on him DGP. That'll be a Yorkshire thing ,tha'll both be in tnaughty room together

Nah not a "Yorkshire thing" just another tired, unappreciated, ill equipped, poorly motivated, badly managed Postie, delivering unwanted mail, to the great unwashed who are not in the slightest bit grateful that you've just skated down their path to deliver Aunt Bessie's Christmas card, which of course has been damaged by the sequencing machines and the £3,000 she put in there is missing.

............... and breathe.

[BELIAL]

I suspect ,by the tone of your response that the new corporate ethos of mutual respect and understanding has yet to percolate through to your area. Perhaps you could clarify by picking A or B .
Do you feel like
A) A much valued employee ,keen to embrace the raft of changes confident in the knowledge that your employer is striving to modernise in order to secure your financial future and enhance and improve your rewards and working conditions

or

B) A sacrificial donkey on the merciless altar of the god of profit and bonuses.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

[brothermagrew]

[fishtank]

Joint Brief Severe Weather

SEVERE~1.pdf